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Serbia Guidebook

Niš restaurants & kafanas

Niš is the capital of the south and of the grill: smoky roštilj on Kazandžijsko Sokače, hearty home cooking, and a famously good-value food scene. Vetted places across the old centre.

Niš is grill country: the lane of Kazandžijsko Sokače (Tinkers’ Alley) is lined with kafanas serving some of the best ćevapi and grilled meats in Serbia, alongside traditional home cooking and modern cafes around the fortress and the centre. Prices are among the lowest of the big cities.

Below are our vetted places in Niš. What to try across Serbian cuisine - roštilj, ajvar, hearty stews, local wine - is in the guide to the cuisine; each venue lists the check date.

What to try in Serbia: a guide to the cuisine

Our vetted places

Etno kafana Porta

Centar (near fortress) Serbian ethno kafana €€

An ethno kafana by the fortress serving classic southern Serbian grills and stews, often with live folk music.

Picked for live tamburica music and hearty Niš cooking in an ethno-styled room near the fortress.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map

Galija

Centar Serbian grill €€

A central grill restaurant with cevapi, steaks and Serbian classics in a larger dining room than the sokače kafanas.

Picked as a step up from the alley grills - still Serbian, but with more space and a fuller menu.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map

Kafana Barka

Medijana Riverside kafana €€

A kafana with terraces near the Nišava, serving grills and Serbian classics in a greener setting than the old centre.

Picked for terrace dining by the Nišava when the fortress lanes feel too cramped.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map

Kafana Biser

Centar Traditional kafana €

A traditional kafana serving Serbian home cooking and grills in a simple room locals still use for weekday lunches.

Picked for an old-school kafana lunch with home-style Serbian plates away from the tourist fortress loop.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map

Kafana kod Giše

Kazandžijsko sokače Niš grill kafana €

A kafana on Tinkers' Alley, known for grilled meats and the lane's bohemian, smoky character.

Picked for the Kazandžijsko sokače atmosphere - smoky grills in the old craftsmen's lane.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map

Mali Podrum

Centar (Koste Stamenkovića) Street grill €

A tiny fast-grill window on Koste Stamenkovića, serving cevapi and pljeskavica to eat on the go.

Picked as the quick, cheap cevapi stop when you want food in hand while walking the old centre.

Verified · August 25, 2026 On the map